Short sleeve weather and Elder Dube

Hey everyone!

It is so good to email you all today. To start, I just want to say good riddance to winter and HELLO SPRING! The snow and cold has all dissipated and now we relish in 65 to 85+ degree weather with beautiful sunshine beaming down upon us! This could be a wonderful gift from Heavenly Father and a sign that the rest of the year will be great.

Story Time:

This last weekend we were blessed to have Elder Edward Dube of the Quorum of the Seventy speak to us at Stake Conference. He is super funny; from Zimbabwe, Africa; and is an amazing man. He spoke about a lot of things, particularly the importance of the Book of Mormon, missionary work from EVERY member of God's church, and letting go of things that halt our progression. As he spoke with us Saturday evening (he led a discussion rather than a formal talk), he asked if any of the missionaries present had their Preach My Gospel books with them. He waited and all the missionaries looked at each other and realized their mistake, they had all forgot their books! I was eager to participate in the discussion and hadn't since no other missionaries had at that point.

Time to rewind:

As Elder Coles and I were preparing to be picked up to go to the Saturday Evening session, I felt prompted to grab my Preach My Gospel. I knew that sometimes (not very often though) that general authorities liked to read from it during their talks. So I put it into my bag and headed out.

Back to the story. As everyone looked around for someone to be prepared, I pulled out my Preach My Gospel and raised it high in the air and Elder Dube motioned for me to come up with him to the stand. I walked up the entire length of the chapel and rested my book on the podium. He then asked me to read from Section 1: Your Purpose, subsection A Successful Missionary. He pointed out a line and I read "Your success as a missionary is measured primarily by your commitment to find, teach, baptize, and confirm people and to help them become faithful members of the Church who enjoy the presence of the Holy Ghost" (emphasis added). He then told the congregation that the success of missionary work, for both members and missionaries alike, is based on the willingness and effort we give to spread the Gospel. It is not based on the success of someone being baptized. He then had me read "Avoid comparing yourself to other missionaries and measuring the outward results of your efforts against theirs" (emphasis added), to show that principle and reminding the congregation that people have agency to act for themselves. He then turned to me and asked how I would feel if I saw other missionaries having baptisms and if I had none. I responded and said that it wouldn't bother me since it is all God's work and effort is all that is required. He smiled and said "That's a good answer." The last thing he had me read was "When you have done your very best, you may still experience disappointments, but you will not be disappointed in yourself. You can feel certain that the Lord is pleased when you feel the Spirit working through you." He then thanked me and I went back to my seat. I was on Cloud 9 and I just felt the spirit so strongly as I reflected upon this experience I had just had. After the meeting, I was able to shake his hand and he again thanked me for being prepared. He said he almost used his phone, which he doesn't like to do, until I raised my book. It will be an experience I will never forget.

I encourage us all to take up Elder Dube's invitation he gave to us at conference. He committed us to read the Book of Mormon every day, even if it is just a verse; and to also help bring a friend, member or non-member, to church and help them feel the love God has for them in the next 6 months. I know that God places us in positions where we can bless our fellow brothers and sisters with a message of the Gospel. I bear my witness and testimony that God has truly and fully restored His church here upon the earth in our day, and that this church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, is that church. I love you all and I pray that you may feel God's love for you as I did this weekend. In the name of our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, amen.

Elder Melanson

Below:

1) The district I've been the District leader for the last month and a half

2) Temple picture from last week

3-4) Pictures of the glorious weather we are having!